Dua Qunoot: Arabic, transliteration and meaning

Qunoot is the supplication a worshipper makes while standing in prayer. Most people meet it in Witr, the prayer that seals the night.

What is Dua Qunoot?

Qunoot literally carries the sense of devout standing and obedience. In practice it is a dua said in the standing position of the last rak''ah of Witr, either before going into ruku'' or after rising from it. Both were transmitted, so both are acceptable.

The dua taught to al-Hasan ibn Ali

The Prophet ﷺ taught his grandson al-Hasan words to say in Witr:

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

*Allahumma-hdini fiman hadayt, wa ''afini fiman ''afayt, wa tawallani fiman tawallayt, wa barik li fima a''tayt, wa qini sharra ma qadayt, fa innaka taqdi wa la yuqda ''alayk, wa innahu la yadhillu man walayt, tabarakta Rabbana wa ta''alayt.*

"O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me wellbeing among those You have granted wellbeing, take me into Your care among those You have taken into Your care, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil of what You have decreed. For You decree and none decrees over You. The one You befriend is never humiliated. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted."

When do you say it in the prayer?

In the final rak''ah of Witr, after finishing your recitation, raise your hands and say the dua while still standing; then go into ruku'' as normal. If you prefer the other transmitted way, say it after standing up from ruku'', before sujood. Follow your local imam''s practice in congregation rather than doing something different alone.

What if I have not memorised Dua Qunoot?

You are not obliged to. Qunoot in Witr is a recommended act, not a pillar of the prayer. Until you memorise it, ask Allah in your own words and in your own language. The Prophet ﷺ said the closest a servant is to his Lord is in prostration, so make plenty of dua there too.

Can I add my own dua?

Yes. After the transmitted words, ask for what weighs on you: guidance, health, provision, protection for your family, and relief for the Muslims. The last part of the night is a time when supplication is answered, which is why Witr is placed there.

Qunoot at times of hardship

Beyond Witr there is qunoot an-nazilah, made in the five daily prayers when the Muslims are struck by a calamity. The Prophet ﷺ did this for a period and then left it, which shows it is tied to the situation rather than being a permanent part of every prayer.

Practical tips for memorising it

Break the dua into three parts and take one part per night for a week. Read it from a card while standing until it settles; there is no harm in that while you are learning. Recite it slowly enough that you understand what you are asking for — a dua understood is a dua felt.